U.S. patent application number 13/939736 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for self lubricated spherical transom bearing.
The applicant listed for this patent is ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.. Invention is credited to James Voisine.
Application Number | 20140158016 13/939736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50879575 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140158016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Voisine; James |
June 12, 2014 |
SELF LUBRICATED SPHERICAL TRANSOM BEARING
Abstract
A suspension system for a rail car has at least two
undercarriage members and at least one equalizer bar removably and
pivotally secured to and between the two undercarriage members. A
spherical bearing has an outer member that surrounds an inner
member. The outer member is removably secured to one of the
undercarriage members. The inner member is removably secured to the
equalizer bar. The outer member defines at least one outer member
section having an arcuate interior surface and the inner member
defines at least one inner member section having an arcuate
exterior surface. A low friction liner is disposed on at least one
of the arcuate interior surface or the arcuate exterior
surface.
Inventors: |
Voisine; James; (Burlington,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC. |
Oxford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50879575 |
Appl. No.: |
13/939736 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61670242 |
Jul 11, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
105/209 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 23/045 20130101;
F16C 2326/10 20130101; B61F 5/52 20130101; B61F 99/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
105/209 |
International
Class: |
B61F 99/00 20060101
B61F099/00 |
Claims
1. A suspension system for a rail car comprising: at least two
undercarriage members; at least one equalizer bar removably and
pivotally secured to and between the two undercarriage members; a
spherical bearing having an outer member surrounding an inner
member; the outer member being removably secured to one of the at
least one undercarriage members, the outer member defining at least
one outer member section having an arcuate interior surface; the
inner member being removably secured to the at least one equalizer
bar, the inner member defining at least one inner member section
having an arcuate exterior surface; and a low friction liner
disposed on at least a portion of one of the arcuate interior
surface and the arcuate exterior surface.
2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the low friction liner
includes polytetrafluoroethylene.
3. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the low friction liner
includes a woven material.
4. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the low friction liner
has a dynamic capacity of at least 30,000 pounds per square
inch.
5. The suspension system of claim 1, the at least two undercarriage
members each define a first bore therein having a first section and
a second section, the first section opening inward between the at
least two undercarriage members, the spherical bearing being
removably positioned in the first section, and the second section
defining a cavity and an access port in communication therewith for
providing access to the spherical bearing.
6. The suspension system of claim 5, the first bore first section
defining a first diameter and the first bore second section
defining a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the
first diameter.
7. The suspension system of claim 6, the inner member defining an
interior surface therein, the interior surface defining a second
bore extending through the inner member, a portion of the equalizer
bar extending into the second bore.
8. The suspension system of claim 7, the at least one equalizer bar
defining a third diameter, a first end having the third diameter,
and a second end having a fourth diameter less than the third
diameter, the second end received within the inner member second
bore.
9. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the outer member
defines a plurality of outer member sections, each of the plurality
of outer member sections having an arcuate interior surface.
10. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the outer member
defines a radially split outer member defining at least two outer
member sections having an arcuate interior surface.
11. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the outer member
defines an axially split outer member defining at least two outer
member sections having an arcuate interior surface.
12. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the inner member
defines a plurality of inner member sections, each of the plurality
of inner member sections having an arcuate exterior surface.
13. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the inner member
defines a radially split inner member defining at least two inner
member sections having an arcuate exterior surface.
14. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the inner member
defines an axially split inner member defining at least two inner
member sections having an arcuate exterior surface.
15. A suspension system for a rail car comprising: a first
undercarriage member; a second undercarriage member; a first
equalizer bar having a first end secured to a portion of the first
undercarriage member, and a second end removably and pivotally
secured to the second undercarriage member at a first transom
joint; a second equalizer bar having a first end secured to a
portion of the second undercarriage member, and a second end
removably and pivotally secured to the first undercarriage member
at a second transom joint; a first spherical bearing disposed in
the first transom joint, the first spherical bearing having a first
outer member surrounding a first inner member, the first outer
member being removably secured to the second undercarriage member
and defining at least one first outer member section having a first
arcuate interior surface, the first inner member being removably
secured to the first equalizer bar and defining at least one first
inner member section having a first arcuate exterior surface; a
second spherical bearing disposed in the second transom joint, the
second spherical bearing having a second outer member surrounding a
second inner member, the second outer member being removably
secured to the first undercarriage member and defining at least one
second outer member section having a second arcuate interior
surface, the second inner member being removably secured to the
second equalizer bar and defining at least one second inner member
section having a second arcuate exterior surface; a first low
friction liner disposed on at least a portion of one of the first
arcuate interior surface and the first arcuate exterior surface;
and a second low friction liner disposed on at least a portion of
one of the second arcuate interior surface and the first arcuate
exterior surface.
16. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein the first and second
low friction liners include polytetrafluoroethylene.
17. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein the first and second
low friction liners include a woven material.
18. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein the first and second
low friction liners have a dynamic capacity of at least 30,000
pounds per square inch.
19. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first
undercarriage member defines a first bore therein having a first
section and a second section, the first section opening inward
between the first and second undercarriage members, the first
spherical bearing being removably positioned in the first section,
and the second section defining a first cavity and a first access
port in communication therewith for providing access to the first
spherical bearing; and the second undercarriage member defines a
second bore therein having a third section and a fourth section,
the third section opening inward between the first and second
undercarriage members, the second spherical bearing being removably
positioned in the third section, and the fourth section defining a
second cavity and a second access port in communication therewith
for providing access to the second spherical bearing.
20. The suspension system of claim 19, the first bore first section
defining a first diameter and the first bore second section
defining a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the
first diameter.
21. The suspension system of claim 20, wherein: the first inner
member defines a first interior surface therein, the first interior
surface defining a third bore extending through the first inner
member, a portion of the first equalizer bar extending into the
third bore; and the second inner member defines a second interior
surface therein, the second interior surface defining a fourth bore
extending through the second inner member, a portion of the second
equalizer bar extending into the fourth bore.
22. The suspension system of claim 21, wherein: the first equalizer
bar defines a fifth diameter, a first end having the fifth
diameter, and a second end having a sixth diameter less than the
fifth diameter, the second end received within the first inner
member third bore; and the second equalizer bar defines a seventh
diameter, a first end having the seventh diameter, and a second end
having an eight diameter less than the seventh diameter, the second
end received within the second inner member fourth bore.
23. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first outer
member defines a plurality of first outer member sections, each of
the plurality of first outer member sections having an arcuate
interior surface; and the second outer member defines a plurality
of second outer member sections, each of the plurality of second
outer member sections having an arcuate interior surface.
24. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first outer
member defines a first radially split outer member defining at
least two first outer member sections having an arcuate interior
surface; and the second outer member defines a second radially
split outer member defining at least two second outer member
sections having an arcuate interior surface.
25. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first outer
member defines a first axially split outer member defining at least
two first outer member sections having an arcuate interior surface;
and the second outer member defines a second axially split outer
member defining at least two second outer member sections having an
arcuate interior surface.
26. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first inner
member defines a plurality of first inner member sections, each of
the plurality of first inner member sections having an arcuate
exterior surface; and the second inner member defines a plurality
of second inner member sections, each of the plurality of second
inner member sections having an arcuate exterior surface.
27. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first inner
member defines a radially split first inner member defining at
least two first inner member sections having an arcuate exterior
surface; and the second inner member defines a radially split
second inner member defining at least two second inner member
sections having an arcuate exterior surface.
28. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein: the first inner
member defines an axially split first inner member defining at
least two first inner member sections having an arcuate exterior
surface; and the second inner member defines an axially split
second inner member defining at least two second inner member
sections having an arcuate exterior surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/670,242, filed on Jul. 11, 2012, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a self
lubricated spherical transom bearing and more particularly to a
spherical bearing having a low friction liner for use in a transom
joint of a suspension system for a rail car.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Rail cars such as passenger, freight, flat, tanker, box and
cargo cars are designed to carry heavy loads at high speeds along a
rail system. Each of the rail cars typically includes a housing
dampingly mounted on a frame structure. For example, a set of
springs and shock absorbers can be coupled between the housing and
the frame structure to dampen vibration of the rail car and to
reduce dynamic loads on rails on which the rail cars travel. A
plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on axles is typically coupled
to a portion of the frame structure. The frame structure can be
subject to oscillatory loads including force vectors and moments as
a result of movement of the rail car along the rails. The
oscillatory loads can cause wear and premature failure of the frame
or portions thereof.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a suspension
system for a rail car comprising: at least two undercarriage
members; at least one equalizer bar removably and pivotally secured
to and between the two undercarriage members; a spherical bearing
having an outer member surrounding an inner member; the outer
member being removably secured to one of the at least one
undercarriage members, the outer member defining at least one outer
member section having an arcuate interior surface; the inner member
being removably secured to the at least one equalizer bar, the
inner member defining at least one inner member section having an
arcuate exterior surface; and a low friction liner disposed on at
least a portion of one of the arcuate interior surface and the
arcuate exterior surface.
[0005] In another aspect, the present invention resides in a
suspension system for a rail car comprising: a first undercarriage
member; a second undercarriage member; a first equalizer bar having
a first end secured to a portion of the first undercarriage member,
and a second end removably and pivotally secured to the second
undercarriage member at a first transom joint; a second equalizer
bar having a first end secured to a portion of the second
undercarriage member, and a second end removably and pivotally
secured to the first undercarriage member at a second transom
joint; a first spherical bearing disposed in the first transom
joint, the first spherical bearing having a first outer member
surrounding a first inner member, the first outer member being
removably secured to the second undercarriage member and defining
at least one first outer member section having a first arcuate
interior surface, the first inner member being removably secured to
the first equalizer bar and defining at least one first inner
member section having a first arcuate exterior surface; a second
spherical bearing disposed in the second transom joint, the second
spherical bearing having a second outer member surrounding a second
inner member, the second outer member being removably secured to
the first undercarriage member and defining at least one second
outer member section having a second arcuate interior surface, the
second inner member being removably secured to the second equalizer
bar and defining at least one second inner member section having a
second arcuate exterior surface; a first low friction liner
disposed on at least a portion of one of the first arcuate interior
surface and the first arcuate exterior surface; and a second low
friction liner disposed on at least a portion of one of the second
arcuate interior surface and the first arcuate exterior
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension system for a
rail car including spherical bearings of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the suspension
system for a rail car of FIG. 1 showing details of the spherical
bearing.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of
the spherical bearing of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of
the spherical bearing in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional schematic illustration
of a woven low friction liner.
[0011] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of a
spherical bearing having a radially split outer member.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of a
spherical bearing having a radially split inner member.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of a spherical
bearing having an axially split outer member.
[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of a
spherical bearing having an axially split inner member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a suspension system for a
rail car is generally designated by the numeral 10. The suspension
system 10 includes at least two undercarriage members, for example
a first undercarriage member 12 and a second undercarriage member
14. The first and second undercarriage members 12 and 14 are
dampenly coupled to a rail car housing (not shown) by one or more
spring and damper systems (not shown). The first and second
undercarriage members 12 and 14 support an axle and wheel assembly
(not shown). The first and second undercarriage members 12 and 14
are aligned along substantially parallel axes C and D,
respectively. The first undercarriage member 12 includes a
spherical bearing 16A disposed in a bore 18 of the undercarriage
member 12. The second undercarriage member 14 includes a spherical
bearing 16B disposed in a bore 20 defined by an interior surface of
the second undercarriage members 14. The spherical bearings 16A and
16B are configured similar to one another. The bore 18 is
positioned between opposing ends 12A and 12B of the first
undercarriage member 12. The bore 20 is positioned between opposing
ends 14A and 14B of the second undercarriage member 14.
[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 1, suspension system 10 includes at
least one equalizer bar removably and pivotally secured to and
between the two undercarriage members 12 and 14. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first undercarriage member 12 includes a first
equalizer bar 22 having a first end 22A secured to a portion of the
undercarriage member 12, by suitable fasteners or other known means
(not shown); and the second undercarriage member 14 includes a
second equalizer bar 24 having a first end 24A secured to a portion
of the undercarriage member 14, by suitable fasteners or other
known means (not shown). A second end 22B of the first equalizer
bar 22 is coupled to a portion of the spherical bearing 16B as
described below and thereby is removably and pivotally secured to
the second undercarriage member 14. A second end 24B of the second
equalizer bar 24 is removably coupled to a portion of the spherical
bearing 16A as described below and thereby is removably and
pivotally secured to the first undercarriage member 12. The first
equalizer bar 22 defines an axis of rotation F; and the second
equalizer bar 24 defines an axis of rotation E. The spherical
bearing 16B and the equalizer bar 22 cooperate with one another to
define a transom joint 30 which pivotally couples the first
undercarriage member 12 to the second under carriage member 14. The
spherical bearing 16A and the equalizer bar 24 cooperate with one
another to define a transom joint 40 which pivotally couples the
first undercarriage member 12 to the second under carriage member
14. For example, the undercarriage members 12 and 14 are pivotally
coupled to one another by the transom joints 30 and 40 for rotation
relative to the axes C, D, E and F as indicated by the arrows C1,
D1, E1 and F1, respectively.
[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the spherical bearing 16A has an
inner member 50 encircled at least partially by an outer member 52.
The inner member 50 includes an interior surface 54, such as but
not limited to a substantially cylindrical surface, that defines a
bore 56 extending through the inner member 50. The inner member 50
has an arcuate exterior surface 58, such as a convex spherical
surface. The outer member 52 has a substantially cylindrical
exterior surface 60 and an arcuate interior surface 62, such as but
not limited to a concave spherical surface which defines an
interior area 63 of the outer member. The inner member 50 is
disposed in the interior area 63 thereby forming a gap 65 between
the exterior surface 58 and the interior surface 62. The transom
joint 40 is defined by the outer member 52 of spherical bearing 16A
being removably secured to the undercarriage member 12 and the
inner member 50 of spherical bearing 16A being removably secured to
the equalizer bar 24. Similarly, the transom joint 30 is defined by
the outer member 52 of spherical bearing 16B being removably
secured to the undercarriage member 14 and the inner member 50 of
spherical bearing 16B being removably secured to the equalizer bar
22.
[0018] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a low friction liner 64 is
secured to the interior surface 62 of the outer member 52. The low
friction liner 64 is manufactured with a self-lubricating material,
which allows lubricious properties of the low friction liner 64 to
be maintained without addition of a lubricating agent such as oil
or grease. In one embodiment, low friction liner 64 defines a
bonding surface 64A that is secured to the interior surface 62 by
bonding using temperature and pressure. One example of bonding is
an adhesive bonding process. The low friction liner 64 also defines
a second surface 64B, opposite the bonding surface 64A, which
slidingly engages the exterior surface 58 of the inner member
50.
[0019] The low fiction liner 64 is manufactured from a material
having low friction characteristics or qualities. In one
embodiment, as shown for example in FIG. 5, the low friction liner
64 is a woven fabric 70. The woven fabric 70 includes a plurality
of fibers 70A and 70B interwoven with one another and
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 72 interwoven therewith. The fibers
70A and 70B include, for example, a polyester material, a stainless
steel material and/or glass material. The fibers 70A and 70B
interwoven with the PTFE 72 enhance bondability of liner 64 to the
interior surface 62 of the outer member 52. In one example, the low
friction liner 64 is manufactured from Fabroid .RTM., in particular
Fabroid IIG2, which is commercially available from RBC Bearings,
Oxford, Conn., United States. In another embodiment, the liner 64
is manufactured from Fiberglide, which is also commercially
available from RBC Bearings. The low friction liner 64 has
properties and characteristics sufficient to withstand high loads
with insignificant wear. Thus, spherical bearings 16A and 16B
having the low friction liner 64 mounted therein are operational
for extended life when compared to prior art bearings. In one
embodiment, the low friction liner 64 has a dynamic capacity of
30,000 pounds per square inch (psi) so that the spherical bearings
16A and 16B can withstand high loads (e.g., high dynamic loads) and
vibrations without damaging the low friction liner 64. In one
embodiment, the low friction liner 64 has a dynamic capacity of
25,000 psi to 35,000 psi. In one embodiment, the low friction liner
64 has a dynamic capacity of 28,000 psi to 32,000 psi. In one
embodiment, the low friction liner 64 has a dynamic capacity of at
least 30,000 psi or greater. The low friction liner 64 provides
constant lubrication or lubrication on demand which addresses the
limitations of grease lubrication for the high frequency, small
oscillations that are exhibited as a result of movement of the rail
car housing along rails. The low friction liner 64 will help resist
adhesive wear/fretting corrosion that results from these
conditions. The low friction liner 64 will also reduce costly
maintenance programs and rail car downtime.
[0020] While the bonding surface 64A of the low friction liner 64
is shown and described as being secured to the interior surface 62
of the outer member 52, the present invention is not limited in
this regard. In one embodiment, for example spherical bearing 116A
shown in FIG. 4, a low friction liner 164 is secured to an exterior
surface 158 of an inner member 150. Low friction liner 164 defines
a bonding surface 164A that is secured to the exterior surface 158
by bonding using temperature and pressure as described above with
reference to securing bonding surface 64A to the interior surface
62 of the outer member 52 of spherical bearing 16A. The low
friction liner 164 also defines a second surface 164B, opposite the
bonding surface 164A, which slidingly engages an interior surface
162 of the outer member 152.
[0021] The bearing 216A illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to the
bearings 16A and 16B shown in FIGS. 1-3, thus like elements are
given like element numbers preceded by the numeral 2. A spherical
bearing 216A includes an inner member 250 and an outer member 252
that is radially split into an outer member first section 252A and
an outer member second section 252B. While the outer member 252 is
shown and described as having two outer member sections 252A and
252B, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the
outer member 252 may comprise more than two portions without
departing from the broader aspects of the invention. A low friction
liner 264A includes a bonding surface 280A that is secured to an
interior surface 262A of the outer member first section 252A; and a
low friction liner 264B includes a bonding surface 280B that is
secured to an interior surface 262B of the outer member second
section 252B. Radially splitting the spherical bearing 216A into
the outer member first section 252A and the outer member second
section 252B facilitates installation of the bearing 216A into the
bores 18 and 20.
[0022] The bearing 316A illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to the
bearings 16A and 16B shown in FIGS. 1-3, thus like elements are
given like element numbers preceded by the numeral 3. A spherical
bearing 316A includes an outer member 352 and an inner member 350
that is radially split into an inner member first section 350A and
an inner member second section 350B. A low friction liner 364
includes a bonding surface 380 that is secured to an interior
surface 362 of the outer member 352. While the low friction liner
364 is shown and described as being secured to the interior surface
362 of the outer member 352, the present invention is not limited
in this regard as a first section of the low friction liner 364 can
define a bonding surface that is secured inner member first section
350A, and a second section of the low friction liner 364 can define
a bonding surface that is secured inner member second section 350B.
Radially splitting the spherical bearing 316A into the inner member
first section 350A and the inner member second section 350B
facilitates installation of the bearing 316A into the bores 18 and
20.
[0023] The bearing 316A illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to the
bearings 16A and 16B shown in FIGS. 1-3, thus like elements are
given like element numbers preceded by the numeral 3. A spherical
bearing 316A includes an outer member 352 and an inner member or
split ball assembly 350 that is radially split into an inner member
first section or a first split ball portion 350A, and an inner
member second section or a second split ball portion 350B. The
first split ball portion 350A defines a first axially outward
separation face 350C and a first axially inward separation face
350D. The second split ball portion 350B defines a second axially
outward separation face 350E and a second axially inward separation
face 350F. When assembled as the split ball assembly 350, the first
axially inward separation face 350D of the first ball portion 350A
frictionally engages the second axially inward separation face 350F
of the second ball portion 350B. While the split ball assembly 350
is shown and described as having two split ball portions 350A and
350B, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the
split ball assembly 350 may comprise more than two portions without
departing from the broader aspects of the invention.
[0024] A low friction liner 364 includes a bonding surface 380 that
is secured to an interior surface 362 of the outer member 352.
While the low friction liner 364 is shown and described as being
secured to the interior surface 362 of the outer member 352, the
present invention is not limited in this regard as a first section
of the low friction liner 364 can define a bonding surface that is
secured to first split ball portion 350A, and a second section of
the low friction liner 364 can define a bonding surface that is
secured to second split ball portion 350B. Radially splitting the
spherical bearing 316A into the first split ball portion 350A and
the second split ball portion 350B facilitates installation of the
bearing 316A into the bores 18 and 20.
[0025] The bearing 416A illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to the
bearings 16A and 16B shown in FIGS. 1-3, thus like elements are
given like element numbers preceded by the numeral 4. A spherical
bearing 416A includes an inner member 450 (not shown) and an outer
member 452 that is axially split into an outer member first section
452A and an outer member second section 452B. While the outer
member 452 is shown and described as having two outer member
sections 452A and 452B, the present invention is not limited in
this regard as the outer member 452 may comprise more than two
portions without departing from the broader aspects of the
invention. A first low friction liner (not shown) includes a
bonding surface that is secured to a first interior surface of the
outer member first section 452A; and a second low friction liner
(not shown) includes a bonding surface that is secured to a second
interior surface of the outer member second section 452B. Axially
splitting the spherical bearing 416A into the outer member first
section 452A and the outer member second section 452B facilitates
installation of the bearing 416A into the bores 18 and 20.
[0026] The bearing 516A illustrated in FIG. 9 is similar to the
bearings 16A and 16B shown in FIGS. 1-3, thus like elements are
given like element numbers preceded by the numeral 5. A spherical
bearing 516A includes an outer member 552 and an inner member or
split ball assembly 550 that is axially split into an inner member
first section or a first split ball portion 550A, and an inner
member second section or a second split ball portion 550B. The
first split ball portion 550A defines a first radially inward
separation face 550C and the second split ball portion 550B defines
a second radially inward separation face 550D. When assembled as
the split ball assembly 550, the first radially inward separation
face 550C of the first ball portion 550A frictionally engages the
second radially inward separation face 550D of the second ball
portion 550B. While the split ball assembly 550 is shown and
described as having two split ball portions 550A and 550B, the
present invention is not limited in this regard as the split ball
assembly 550 may comprise more than two portions without departing
from the broader aspects of the invention.
[0027] A low friction liner 564 includes a bonding surface 580 that
is secured to an interior surface 562 of the outer member 552.
While the low friction liner 564 is shown and described as being
secured to the interior surface 562 of the outer member 552, the
present invention is not limited in this regard as a first section
of the low friction liner 564 can define a bonding surface that is
secured to first split ball portion 550A, and a second section of
the low friction liner 564 can define a bonding surface that is
secured to second split ball portion 550B. Axially splitting the
spherical bearing 516A into the first split ball portion 550A and
the second split ball portion 550B facilitates installation of the
bearing 516A into the bores 18 and 20.
[0028] Referring back to FIG. 2, the bore 18 includes a first
section 18A and a second section 18B. First section 18A defines a
first inner surface 18C and a first diameter D1. Second section 18B
defines a second inner surface 18D and a second diameter D2. In the
illustrated embodiment, the second diameter D2 is less than the
first diameter D1. A shoulder 82 is formed at a juncture between
the first and second sections 18A and 18B of the bore 18. The
diameter D1 of the bore 18 is about equal to an outside diameter D5
of the outer member 52. The spherical bearing 16A is disposed in
the first section 18A of the bore 18, for example press fit into
the bore 18, such that the exterior surface 60 of the outer member
52 engages the interior surface 18C of the bore first section 18A,
and a first axial end 52F of the outer member 52 engages the
shoulder 82. An opposing second axial end 52E of the outer member
52 is removably clamped into the bore first section 18A by a
retaining ring 87. The retaining ring 87 is secured to the
undercarriage member 12 by a plurality of fasteners 88, such as
bolts or hex-head screws.
[0029] The second end 24B of the equalizer bar 24 defines a first
portion 24C having a third diameter D3, and a second portion 24D
having a fourth diameter D4. The second portion 24D also defines an
engagement surface 24E and a distal end 24X. In the illustrated
embodiment, the fourth diameter D4 is less than the third diameter
D3. An abutment surface 85 is defined at a juncture of the first
portion 24C and the second portion 24D of the equalizer bar 24. The
equalizer bar 24 is removably secured to the inner member 52 such
that the engagement surface 24E of the equalizer bar 24 engages the
interior surface 54 of the inner member 50. The abutment surface 85
engages an axial first end 50E of the inner member 50. The
equalizer bar 24 is removably secured to the inner member 50 by a
retaining plate 89 which defines an engagement surface 89E that
engages an axial second end 50F of the inner member 50. The
retainer plate 89 is removably secured to the equalizer bar 24 by a
plurality of fasteners 90, such as bolts or hex-head screws. The
undercarriage member 12 includes an access port 91 which
communicates with a cavity 92 in which the retainer plate 89 and
fasteners 90 are positioned. The access port 91 and cavity 92
provide access to the retainer plate 89 and fasteners 90 for insitu
coupling and uncoupling the retainer plate 89 to and from the
equalizer bar 24.
[0030] Each of the undercarriage members 12 and 14 define the bore
18 therein having a first section 18A and a second section 18B. The
first section 18A of each bore 18 defines an opening facing inward
between the undercarriage members 12 and 14, and the spherical
bearings 16A and 16B are respectively removably positioned therein.
The second section 18B of each bore 18 defines the cavity 92 and
the access port 91 in communication therewith for providing access
to the respective spherical bearing 16A or 16B.
[0031] Although this invention has been shown and described with
respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in
the above detailed description, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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